A Massachusetts man was given just over five years in federal prison for defrauding Target stores in California and other states, according to federal prosecutors.
Michael O’Brien, Jr., 32, pleaded guilty in April to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five counts of wire fraud for buying Target gift cards, stealing their codes, then selling the codes online, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California said in a statement Wednesday.
After selling the codes, he and his crew returned the gift cards for a full refund.
O’Brien’s scheme affected not only Target stores in California but also 35 other states, according to prosecutors. His theft added up to at least $508,000. He has been ordered to pay that amount in restitution.
According to his plea agreement, O’Brien admitted that the intended theft was over $1 million.
He’ll be out in 2 yrs or less…. also bet it wasn’t his first time at it either
It’s a federal rap, he must serve a minimum of 85% of his sentence.
HOW ABOUT THAT ! ! !
Federal government still knows how to incarcerate criminals.
Wonder if they’d be willing to give lessons to Contra Costa.
So you’re saying he targeted Target and then became the target of prosecution?
Yep your comment is right on target
“…After selling the codes, he and his crew returned the gift cards for a full refund…” And the cashier/manager who refunded the gift card, or whoever it was, must have been on it too. First thing you learn as a retail employee, and consumer, is that gift cards are non-refundable; you buy it and you are stuck with it, so tough luck.
They sold them to people that tried to use them on line; but didn’t try before the bad guys returned them.?
Pled guilty
fixed that for ya